Gouda Cheese vs Provel Cheese

Gouda Cheese is a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cow-milk cheese from Netherlands, while Provel Cheese is soft, processed and made from cow milk, originating in United States.

What Is Gouda Cheese?

Gouda is a yellow cow's milk cheese from the Netherlands, named after the city of Gouda in South Holland. It runs from young and elastic to old and hard, picking up a caramel sweetness and small crunchy crystals with age.

What Is Provel Cheese?

Provel is a white processed cheese that blends cheddar, Swiss and provolone with liquid smoke. It melts at a low temperature, tastes buttery, and is the traditional cheese on St. Louis-style pizza.

What's the Difference Between Gouda Cheese and Provel Cheese?

• Origin: Gouda Cheese (Netherlands), Provel Cheese (United States)
• Milk treatment: Gouda Cheese (pasteurized or unpasteurized), Provel Cheese (pasteurized)
• Texture: Gouda Cheese (solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged), Provel Cheese (soft, processed)
• Rind: Gouda Cheese (Durable), Provel Cheese (plastic)
• Taste: Gouda Cheese (Sweet to nutty), Provel Cheese (buttery)

Side-by-Side Comparison

Taste Comparison: Does Gouda Cheese Taste Like Provel Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Provel Cheese brings buttery character. On the nose, Gouda Cheese offers sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, contrasted with Provel Cheese's smokey. More specifically, Gouda Cheese shows young: mellow, fruity, sweet. aged: nutty, herbaceous, notes of chocolate, brazil nut, butterscotch., while Provel Cheese leans toward buttery, smoky; a blend of cheddar, swiss and provolone with liquid smoke.

Can You Substitute Gouda Cheese for Provel Cheese?

In most recipes, Gouda Cheese and Provel Cheese can be swapped with reasonable results. Both are cow-milk cheeses, so the base character carries over. Expect solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged bite and body where the recipe calls for soft, processed. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty while Provel Cheese brings buttery notes.

Which Is Better, Gouda Cheese or Provel Cheese?

There's no single winner. It depends on your recipe and the profile you want. If you want a solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged cheese, go with Gouda Cheese. For a soft, processed profile, Provel Cheese is the better fit. Flavor-wise, Gouda Cheese suits recipes that want sweet to nutty notes, while Provel Cheese fits dishes calling for buttery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gouda Cheese the same as Provel Cheese?

No, they're distinct cheeses. Gouda Cheese originates in Netherlands, while Provel Cheese comes from United States.

Is Gouda Cheese similar to Provel Cheese?

Somewhat. They share a cow-milk base but diverge in texture and flavor.

Can I substitute Gouda Cheese for Provel Cheese?

You can, but expect a shift in bite and mouthfeel.

Does Gouda Cheese taste like Provel Cheese?

Gouda Cheese reads as sweet to nutty, while Provel Cheese is buttery. Aromas also diverge. Gouda Cheese leans sour aromatics with a cooked, milky note, and Provel Cheese is closer to smokey.

What is Gouda Cheese made of?

Gouda Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized or unpasteurized). It's typically aged 4 weeks to 21 months. It originates in Netherlands.

What is Provel Cheese made of?

Provel Cheese is made from cow milk (pasteurized). It originates in United States.

Which should I choose, Gouda Cheese or Provel Cheese?

It depends on the dish. The texture difference is the biggest practical tell. Gouda Cheese is solid and springy; smooth when young, firm and crumbly when aged, while Provel Cheese is soft, processed.